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While nobody wants to be involved in a car accident, the truth is that accidents are common in and around the Lexington area. According to the Kentucky Department of Transportation, there were more than 158,000 total car accidents reported across the state during the latest year of data available. One of the most common types of accidents that occur are rear-end collisions. There are an estimated 1.7 million rear-end collisions every year on U.S. roadways. It is important for drivers in the Lexington, Kentucky area to know what to do if they are involved in a rear-end collision, and how a Lexington injury lawyer can help.
There are several steps drivers can take immediately following a rear-end collision. Each of these steps could have a significant impact on a person’s ability to file an insurance claim and secure compensation for what happened.
Regardless of how severe an accident may be, the first thing to do is to check for injuries to yourself and to others involved in the accident. Even if you do not feel any pain, you should still seek medical attention. It is often the case that car accident injuries are not immediately apparent due to the rush of adrenaline a person experiences in the aftermath of a crash. Some people feel fine at the car accident scene only later to realize that they have sustained an injury. By seeking medical assistance immediately after a crash, a victim is ensuring their well-being while also establishing a link between their injuries in the crash.
Kentucky law requires drivers to report an accident if the incident resulted in an injury or death to any person involved or if property damage exceeds $500. It is generally advisable to report any accident to the police as soon as possible, regardless of how minor it may seem. Let the police officer conduct their investigation, determine which party was at fault, and complete an accident report.
If you are able to safely do so, you should gather as much evidence as possible. Use your smartphone or another type of camera to take photographs of all vehicles involved, damages, injuries, any debris, and more. Make sure you get the names and insurance information of other drivers involved as well as the names and contact information of other passengers. If there were any eyewitnesses, get their names and contact information as well.
When you are at the accident scene, do not admit fault to anybody, even if you think you may have contributed to the crash. Let the police conduct an investigation to determine which party they believe was at fault. When you make the report to your insurance carrier, do not admit fault to them either. Simply report that an accident occurred and refer any questions they may have to your attorney.
Most auto accident lawyers will offer a free personal injury consultation of your case in order to determine the best path forward. If another driver caused your injuries, a skilled accident attorney in Lexington will be able to maximize your total compensation. An attorney will have the resources and legal experience necessary to conduct a full investigation into the incident.
It is vital that car accident victim continues all treatment plans prescribed by their doctor for their car accident injuries. This includes going to any follow-up visits, using all required medical devices, completing any physical therapy or rehabilitation, and more. If a car accident victim discontinues recommended treatment, this could impact how much they receive in total compensation.